Apparatus, methods, and systems for achieving linear tonearm tracking for a record turntable

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems and methods for use in imparting linear tonearm tracking for a record player are provided. The systems can include a joint member having three separate movable connections to a tonearm, guiding slot and slidable pivot base, wherein a rear pivot location of the tonearm is on the slidable pivot base. A movement of the tonearm can cause the joint member to adjust a position of the slidable pivot base, as a function of a configuration of the guiding slot, and this combination of interactions is combined to impart substantial linear tracking for the tonearm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/331,932, filed May 4, 2016, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This application relates to apparatus, methods and systems for use witha record player/phonograph to assist in providing tangential (linear)tracking of a stylus on a record during play.

2. Related Art

Record players commonly comprise a turntable system with a tonearm thatswings horizontally/laterally about a fixed pivot axis. The fixed pivotaxis is typically located adjacent to a perimeter of a platter of theturntable system. A stylus of the tonearm typically travels through anarc as it tracks a groove in a record, such as shown in FIG. 1 (priorart).

However, as is commonly accepted, it is desirable that the stylustravels a single radius path as it moves radially inward across the faceof a record, rather than in an arc, within the record groove duringplay, approximating a consistent tangent path, or a linear tracking path(e.g., relative to concentric groove portions). It is also commonlyaccepted that lack of such linear tracking can cause trackingdistortions, and undesirable stylus/groove side pressures on a side ofthe stylus because of the frictional force (e.g., “skating force”)between the stylus and the walls of the groove of the record.

Furthermore, lack of linear tracking of the stylus movement within therecord groove can be especially undesirable for stereo recordscontaining separate audio channels on opposite sides of the recordgroove. That is, the lack of linear tracking can disturb audio balanceas a result of unbalanced side pressures on the grooves.

Although some prior art tonearms provide or approximate linear tracking,they are often very complex (increasing associated expense), or do notachieve the desired goal.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a tonearm tracking system is provided for use inplaying a record, the tracking system comprising a tonearm and a jointmember movably connected to the tonearm and movably connected to a trackhaving a nonlinear guiding slot for guiding a guide member of the jointmember. The joint member can also be connected by a hitch member to aslidable pivot base to which the tonearm is pivotably connected at arear pivot location of the tonearm. Due to these three separateconnections between the joint member, and the tonearm, guiding slot andpivot base, when the tonearm is pivoted, this can cause the joint memberto move and be guided by the guiding slot, which in turn, pushes orpulls the slidable pivot base. Thus, in various embodiments, a rearpivot location of the tonearm on the slidable pivot base moves as afunction of the guiding slot configuration. As will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art after reviewing the present disclosure, theguiding slot configuration, as well as various accompanying componentsof the present disclosure, can be selectively configured to controlposition of the tonearm components during record play, and hence, impartsubstantial linear tracking.

Various methods for employing the tonearm tracking systems andassemblies of this disclosure are also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overhead plan view of a platter and tonearm assembly of aprior art turntable system.

FIG. 2 is an overhead plan view of a platter and tonearm assembly forsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the platter and tonearm assembly ofFIG. 2, assembled as part of a tonearm system.

FIG. 3b is an enlarged partial perspective view of the platter andtonearm assembly in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3c is an enlarged cross-sectional overhead plan view of thereceiver housing and beam splitter of the tonearm assembly of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a platter and tonearm assembly,assembled as part of a tonearm system for an alternate embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 5a-5c are overhead plan views of a platter and tonearm assembly(without the laser beam receiver/beam splitter being shown) of a tonearmsystem, for some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of theFIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c showing different pivot positions of the tonearm.

FIG. 6 shows enlarged overhead plan views of the tonearm withelectromagnet assembly of FIGS. 5a-5c , in different pivot positions forsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7a-7c shows simplified overhead views of a rear portion of thetone arm of FIGS. 5a-5c in different pivot positions of the tonearm,also showing stabilization magnets, for some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a simplified overhead plan view showing a platter and tonearmassembly, including a mechanically actuated linear tracking system forsome embodiments of the present disclosure, which does not rely on alaser or electromagnet assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tracking system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a close-up side perspective view of the tracking system ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a close-up partial overhead plan view of the tracking systemof FIG. 8, with the tonearm extension members removed so that a top viewcan be seen of the joint member, hitch member, and guiding slot.

FIG. 12 is a close-up partial bottom plan view of the tracking system ofFIG. 8, with various components not shown so that the pin chamber in thetonearm extension member can be clearly seen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the present description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of thedisclosure. However, upon reviewing this disclosure one skilled in theart will understand that the various embodiments disclosed herein may bepracticed without many of these details. In other instances, somewell-known structures and materials associated with turntablecomponents, electronic audio components, and records, have not beendescribed in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions ofthe embodiments of the disclosure.

In the present disclosure, to the extent the terms “about” and“approximately” are used, they mean±20% of the indicated range, value,or structure, unless otherwise indicated. In the present description,the terms “a” and “an” as used herein refer to “one or more” of theenumerated components. The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should beunderstood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of thealternatives. As used herein, the terms “include” and “comprise” areused synonymously, which terms and variants thereof are intended to beconstrued as non-limiting. The definitions in this paragraph areintended to apply throughout this disclosure unless otherwise expresslystated.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead plan view of a part of a turntable system 2,including a tonearm 8 and platter 5, for some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, using a new and novel laser guided tonearm system to achievelinear tracking. Only one tone arm 8 is intended to be illustrated inFIG. 2, but it is shown in three different positions, a center position,and a pivoted position on left and rights sides thereof.

FIGS. 3a & 3 b show a perspective, and a close-up partial perspectiveview, respectively, of an embodiment of the turntable system 2 of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the tonearm 8 has at least twopivot locations, a front pivot 26 near the head cartridge 10, and rearpivot 28, proximate a vertical base plate 27. The pivot members, orpivots, on the tonearm 8 can be selected in construction from among ofvariety of options (e.g., a pivot pin, or otherwise), as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing the presentdisclosure.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 a-6, in some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the tonearm 8 can swing/pivot laterally inward toward acenter spindle 4 about the rear pivot 28, as a needle 7 on the cartridge10 tracks the record grooves (not illustrated) on a face of the record6, and a front section 29 of the tonearm 8, which includes the cartridge10, can pivot (swing left/right) about the front pivot 26, relative tothe rest of the tonearm 8. The tonearm 8 an include two parallelextension members 8′, and each of the pivots 26, 28, can comprise a pairof pivot connections, one on each corresponding extension members 8′.

As best seen in FIGS. 3a-3c , a laser source 22 can be connected to thefront section 29 of the tonearm 8. The laser source 22 can be alignedlongitudinally with the front section 29 of the tonearm 8, such that anaxial laser beam 21 can be emitted from the laser source travelingforward toward a front end of the tonearm 8, including the cartridge 10,and then be refracted by a refraction mirror 24 laterally outward awayfrom (e.g., at an angle of 90 degrees from) a longitudinal axis of thefront section 29 of the tonearm 8. As best seen in FIGS. 3b and 3c , therefracted laser beam 12 can enter a window or opening 18′ of a receiver,formed on a receiver housing 18, which can be disposed away from aperimeter of the rotating platter of the turntable 2, and impinge on anedge of a beam splitter 14 (e.g., a mirror or prism) of the receiver.For example, the beam splitter 14 can have opposite refractive sidewallsthat converge at an apex edge facing the refracted laser beam 12 and cansplit the beam 12 into two components that are, in turn, directed atopposite sensors 16 on opposite sides of the beam splitter 14 (See,e.g., FIG. 3c ). A difference in intensity/allocation of light to theopposite sensors 16 is then converted to an electrical signal for use inadjusting a magnetic field at electromagnet assembly 30.

Referring to FIGS. 3a , 6, 7 a, and 7 b, the electromagnet assembly 30can comprise a first attractive/repulsive component 32, and a secondattractive/repulsive component 34, the respective components beingconfigured to exert force relative to one another. In some embodiments,an electromagnetic force exerted between the components is configured tobe a function of (e.g., proportional to) a difference in the intensityof light sensed at the sensors 16 in the receiver housing 18. Forexample, in some embodiments, a biasing component (e.g., a spring) 32′can cause the components 32, 34, to be biased toward one another bydefault, and the electromagnetic force can be configured to repulse thecomponents 32, 34 as a function of the signal received, overcoming aforce of the biasing member. Alternatively, in other embodiments, thebiasing component can be configured to cause the components 32, 34 to bebiased away from one another by default, and the electromagnetic forcecan be configured to attract the components toward one another as afunction of the signal received, overcoming a force of the biasingmember. Finally, alternatively, in some embodiments, no biasing memberis provided to bias the components toward, or away, from one another,and a distance between the components can be controlled by repulsiveand/or attractive electromagnetic forces (e.g., flipping polarity), aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art immediately afterreviewing this disclosure.

In all of the embodiments described above, the rear pivot 28 of thetonearm 8 can be fixedly attached to a base 27 (which can be a verticalbase plate), which is, in turn, attached to the second component 34, andboth the vertical base plate 27 and second component 34, can be slidablymovable toward, and away from, the platter 5 of the turntable (e.g.,such as in the directions of arrow “A” in FIGS. 2 & 6), whereas, aposition of the first components 32, can be fixed. As such, theadjustment of electromagnetic force described above, to move thecomponents 32, 34, relative to one another, can move the rear pivot 28in the directions of arrow “A” as necessary to maintain a fixed linearradial path for the needle in the head cartridge, to approximate lineartracking of the needle, as will be immediately appreciated by thoseskilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure.

That is, for example, referring to FIG. 5a , when the record 6 isrotated in a clockwise direction and the needle tracks grooves, thefront section 29 will have a natural tendency to pull away from the rearpivot 28, in a manner such that a longitudinal axis “L” of the frontsection 29 trailing behind the needle will align with a tangent line ofthe circular groove being tracked, provided that the longitudinal axisis permitted to float in that trailing position. If so, the longitudinalaxis “L” of the front section 29 will remain at 90 degrees relative to alinear radial path “R” of the needle, and a distance between the frontpivot 26 and a nearest point on the linear radial path “R” will remainthe same throughout travel of the needle. In order to maintain thedistance between the front pivot 26 and the linear radial path “R” at aconsistent value, the rear pivot 28 must move as a function of theposition of the front pivot 26. As described above, in variousembodiments of the present disclosure, the movement of the rear pivot 28is accomplished indirectly based on feedback signal provided by therefracted laser beam 12. That is, by adjusting the electromagnetic forcebetween components 32, 34 to maintain equal light intensity betweensensors 16, the rear pivot 28 slides in the directions of arrow “A” toallow the front pivot 26 to maintain a consistent distance from thelinear radial path “R,” and in turn, a longitudinal axis “L” of thefront section 29 stays within a tangent line to allow tangential(linear) tracking.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a counter-weight isprovided on each rear portion of a pair of rear longitudinal members(rear portions of extension members 8′) of the tonearm, as best seen inFIGS. 2 and 3 a. Also, in some embodiments, rear portions of theextension members 8′, can include stabilizing magnets, as best seen inFIGS. 4-6, and in particular, FIGS. 7a-7c . Due to the offset betweenthe cartridge's axis and the pivot locations, friction on the stylustends to draw the tonearm laterally inward or outward and can distortthe balance of the sound and cause uneven wear on the stylus. FIGS.7a-7c show an embodiment of the present disclosure in which a firstmagnet 11 a is provided on a rear portion of a first extension member8′, and a second magnet 11 b and third magnet 11 c are provided on aparallel laterally opposite rear portion of a second extension member8′. The first magnet 11 a is disposed at a longitudinal location that isaligned with a longitudinal midpoint between the second and thirdmagnets, when the first extension member and second extension member 8′are un-pivoted, as shown in FIG. 7b . Thus, in such embodiments, whenthe extension members 8′ are un-pivoted and extending straight as shownin FIG. 7b (See, Also, e.g., FIG. 5b ), then the first magnet 11 a isgenerally equal distance from the second magnet 11 b and third magnet 11c, with the second magnet 11 b being offset in a forward direction fromthe first magnet 11 a, and the third magnet 11 c being offset in arearward direction from the first magnet 11 a. Also, in someembodiments, the first magnet 11 a has a laterally inward facing polethat is attracted to the laterally inward facing poles of the second andthird magnets, and as such, equal magnetic component forces are exertedon the first magnet in both a rearward and forward direction, to helpstabilize the relative positions of the extension members 8′ againstpivoting. Also, when the forward portions of the extension members 8′are pivoted laterally toward a center of the turntable toward thespindle 4, such as shown in FIGS. 5a and 7a , since the pivot location28 is fixed on the both extension members, the overall longitudinalalignment of the extension members 8′ becomes off-set, and thus, thefirst magnet 11 a shifts closer to the second (forward) magnet 11 b, sothat attractive force exerted between the first and second (forward)magnet is greater than that between the first magnet and third(rearward) magnet, to help stabilize the pivoted position of theextension members 8′. The opposite effect is imparted when forwardportions of the extension members 8′ are pivoted laterally outward awayfrom the spindle 4, in that the first magnet 11 a then longitudinallyshifts closer to the third (rearward) magnet 11 c, so that theattractive forward between the first and third magnet, is greater thanthe attractive force between the first and second magnet, again helpingto stabilize the current pivoted position of the extensions members 8′(or tonearm) overall. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the artafter reviewing this disclosure, the configuration of the multiplemagnets 11 a, 11 b and 11 c on the extension members can thus helpcounter skating due to its stabilizing effect on the position of thetonearm 8.

In some embodiments, the tonearm assemblies of the present disclosure(e.g., tonearm 8 with laser source and electromagnetic assembly, andreceiver (with beam splitter and sensors)), can be installed by a useron a pre-existing turntable 2, along with the receiver housing 18. Assuch, the tonearm 8 and receiver housing 18 can require calibration.Referring to FIG. 3b , in some embodiments, a calibration laser isprovided within the receiver housing 18, which can emit a calibrationlaser beam 20 that is useable for aligning the receiver housing 18 withthe platter spindle 4. For example, the beam splitter 14 can be disposedin the receiver housing 18, such that when a user activates thecalibration laser and aligns the calibration laser beam 20 to strike thecenter spindle 4 of the turntable at 90 degrees to a tangent line of theturntable, then the symmetrical beam splitter 14 can be positioned suchthat when the refracted laser 12 bisects it through the apex edge, theneedle on the tonearm 8 will be aligned for travel along the linearradial path “R.”

As can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b , in some embodiments, tonearmadjustment members 17 are provided, for use in adjusting a length of aportion of the tonearm 8. The adjustment can comprise turning theadjustment members 17 to loosen a front portion 8″ of each extensionmember 8′ of the tonearm 8 shaft relative to a middle portion 8″′thereof, to allow the respective portions 8″, 8″′ to telescopicallyslide in relation to one another, in order for a user to shorten orelongate the total length of the tonearm 8. For example, when thetonearm 8 is installed on a turntable, after a position of the receiverhousing 8 is calibrated, the tonearm 8 length can be adjusted so thatthe needle rests on the linear radial path “R” throughout motion along arecord being played, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the artafter reviewing this disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows another alternative for some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, in which the laser beam received on the beam splitter 14 hasnot been be previously refracted, but instead, is directly emitted froma laser source 22 attached to a front section 29 of the tonearm 8,immediately before the cartridge 10. In such embodiments, the lasersource 22 can be positioned to emit a guiding laser beam having an axisthat is aligned at 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of thefront section 29. As such, no refraction mirror is required in suchembodiments. Also, in such embodiments, an alignment or calibration beam20 can be provided via a separate source housed in a separatecalibration light housing 20′.

Still referring to FIG. 4, in this alternative embodiment, a refractor14′ can be provided that is positioned above the beam splitter 14, in aconfiguration in which the incoming laser 12 from the laser source 22 isrefracted downward by refractor 14′ before impinging on the beam slipper14, with an apex edge of the beam splitter 14 facing upward to meet thedownwardly refracted beam 22. Similar to the previously describedembodiments, the split beams from the beam splitter can then be detectedby opposite sensors 16 to determine relative intensity, based uponwhich, control signals are sent to the electromagnet assembly 30.

In some embodiments, a user can install a turntable assembly comprisingthe tonearm 8 with base plate 27 (including electromagnetic assembly30), receiver (beam splitter and opposite sensors, which can becontained in a receiver housing 18), and calibration laser source (whichcan be mounted together on a base 23 (See. e.g., FIG. 4) with thereceiver in some embodiments). The turntable assembly can be installedon an existing turntable system to replace the prior art tonearm andtonearm mount, with the tonearm 8 and electromagnetic assembly 30.

Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, a platter 5 and tonearm 9assembly is provided without the electromagnet assembly 30 describedabove. In this embodiment, a mechanical embodiment, the tonearm iscontrolled by an alternate tracking system 40. Tracking system 40enables linear tonearm 9 tracking along a radius path “R,” similar tothat shown and described above with respect to FIG. 5a , except in adifferent manner than the electromagnetic assembly 30. That is, insteadof controlling a position of a rear pivot by adjusting electromagneticforce, the track system 40 adjusts a position of a rear pivot by use ofmechanically interacting components.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, the tracking system 40 connects to tonearmframe members 9″ of a tonearm 9, by pivot connections 65 on alongitudinally slidable pivot bridge 64 (or pivot base). Tonearm 9 isable to pivot about the pivot connections within a lateral plane that isparallel to the platter as necessary to allow the tonearm 9 to trackgrooves in a record. The slidable nature of the pivot bridge 64 allowsthe pivot connections 65 (e.g., rear pivot) to be adjusted formaintaining linear tracking for the tonearm, similar to the mannerdescribed above, except that the manner of control is unique. A hitchmember 50 is connected to the pivot bridge 64, and the hitch member 50is pushed and pulled by movement of the tonearm 9, to slide the pivotbridge forward or rearward respectively. A pair of tonearm extensionmembers 9′ extend longitudinally rearward from parallel tonearm framemembers 9″, with at least one extension member 9′ including a pinchamber 54 (see, e.g., bottom plan view of extension member 9′ in FIG.12, and see perspective views in FIGS. 9 & 10). The pin chamber 54receives a pin 52 that extends upward into the pin chamber 54 from ajoint member 60, and the joint member 60 is pivotably connected to thehitch member 50. The pin 52 is movable within the pin chamber 54, suchas to slide longitudinally within the pin chamber 54. Referring to FIG.12, the pin chamber 54 includes a side opening 54′ on a side of theextension member 9′ (or tonearm 9), to receive the pin 52 laterally, anda longitudinally extending bottom opening 54″ on a bottom of theextension member 9′, so that the pin 52 can extend into the pin chamber54 from the joint member 60 below the extension member 9′ and movelongitudinally within the pin chamber 54.

As best seen in FIG. 10, the pivot joint member 60 has a length, with arear portion 60 a pivotally connected to a rearward end portion of thehitch member 50, by a pivot connection member 56, such as a pin, thehitch member 50 itself being, in turn, fixedly connected to the pivotbridge 64, at a lower portion thereof. Moreover, in some embodiments,the pivot joint member 60 includes a top horizontally extending jointmember 60 b (upper structural feature), and a bottom horizontallyextending joint member 60 c (lower structural feature), the top andbottom joint members 60 b, 60 c being to connected together at rearwardend portions 60 a, 60 d thereof, by a vertically extending bridgeportion 60 e. The pin 52 is connected to the top horizontally extendingjoint member 60 b at a forward portion therefore, opposite its rearwardend portion 60 a, the pin 52 extending upward therefrom. Also, a guidemember 60′, such as a pin, is connected to the bottom horizontallyextending joint member 60 c at a forward portion thereof opposite itsrearward end portion 60 d, the guide member 60′ extending downwardtherefrom into a guiding slot 48 formed in a nonlinear track 46. Theslot 48 may have a lateral length that is curved. That is, it may have acurvature in its length extending from a left side of the trackingsystem to a right side of the tracking system (relative to FIG. 11). Alower end portion of the guide member 60′ (which can also be a pin-likemember) is thus slidably snugly contained within the guiding slot 48such that it can move laterally (left to right, relative to FIG. 11)within the laterally extending nonlinear slot 48.

In some embodiments, a rearward end portion of the hitch 50 is pivotablyconnected to the joint member 60 by one or more pivot connection members56 at a rearward end portion 60 a, 60 d thereof, and the hitch 50 isalso disposed in a space or gap between the top horizontally extendingjoint member 60 b and bottom horizontally extending joint member 60 c.The longitudinally slidable pivot bridge 64 may be fixedly connected tothe hitch member 50, and the tonearm 9 is pivotably connected to thepivot bridge 64. As the tonearm 9 tracks a record groove, it pivotsabout pivot connections 65 and the joint member 60 is actuated to moveby at least one tonearm extension member 9′, because the pin 52 insidethe pin chamber 54 contacts or abut an interior wall of the tonearm 9within the pin chamber 54.

For example, as a needle on a cartridge of the tonearm 9 moves from leftto right (relative to FIGS. 11 and 12), the tonearm pivots relative tothe pivot bridge 64, and the rear portion of the tonearm (e.g., theextension members 9′) moves right to left. In turn, the pin 52 isdisplaced from right to left, causing a forward portion of the pivotjoint 60 to pivot right to left as well, relative to the hitch member 50which does not pivot. This, in turn, causes the guide member 60′ to alsomove from right to left within the curved guiding slot 48, defined bythe curved track 46. Referring to FIGS. 10 & 11, the guiding slotconfiguration 48 can be such that its perimeter walls 48′ extend furtherrearward toward the latterly middle, or central, portion of the slot 48,then the laterally outward portions of the slot. Also, the guide member60′ that extends downward from the forward portion of the joint member60 can fit snugly within the perimeter walls 48′ of the slot 48.Therefore, as the guide member 60′ moves or slides right to left withinthe entire lateral length of the slot 48, it necessarily has a forwardand rearward component of movement, which, in turn, pulls or pushes thehitch member 50 in the rearward/forward directions of arrow “A,” sincethe hitch member 50 floats on the location of the slidable pivot bridge64, which is slidable in the directions of arrow “A” depending onpressure applied to the hitch member 50.

Since the curved slot 48 is configured such that a lateral centerportion thereof is longitudinally further rearward away from the platterthan the lateral side portions of the curved slot 48, the rear pivot, orpivot connections 65 on the pivot bridge 64 adjust forward or rearwardas a function of the rotation of the tonearm 9 by the manner describedabove. As such, the slot 48 curvature can be configured such that, asthe tonearm 9 reaches about a straight alignment relative to the hitchmember 50, wherein each of the parallel extension members 9′ arealigned, the hitch member 50 can be furthest rearward, as can the pivotbridge 64. Thereafter, as the cartridge continues to move right or left,then the rearward extension members 9′ continue to move right or leftoff center alignment, and the hitch member 50 is then pushed forward,due to the curved slot 48 curving forward on the left and right sideportions thereof.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the extent of pushand pull on the hitch member 50 is selected by configuration of thecurved guiding slot 48 and pin chamber 54, since both of thoseparameters can impact movement of the joint member 60, and hence, thehitch member 50. In some embodiments, the curved slot 48, pin chamber54, and remainder of the tracking system 40 are configured to move thetonearm 9 to allow linear tracking at the cartridge in similar fashionto the cartridge movement shown in FIG. 2 for the laser controlledtonearm, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art afterreviewing this disclosure.

Moreover, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art uponreading this disclosure, in some embodiments, the tracking system 40 canalso incorporate stabilizing magnets, the same or substantially similarto those depicted in FIGS. 4-6, and in particular. FIGS. 7a-7c , anddescribed above accordingly, at rear portions of the extension members9′.

In some embodiments, a guard member 70 (wire guard) is provided toprevent the pin 52 from escaping. This can occur when the tonearm ispositioned off the platter 5 (such as at rest), which could otherwiseallow the pin 52 to avoid returning to its pin chamber 54 in the arm.

The various embodiments described herein, including all of the drawings,are presented as non-limiting example embodiments of the presentdisclosure, unless otherwise expressly indicated. After reviewing thepresent disclosure, an individual of ordinary skill in the art willimmediately appreciate that some details and features can be added,removed and/or changed without deviating from the spirit of theinvention. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,” “additional embodiment(s)” or “some embodiments,” andanalogous terms, mean that a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) isincluded in at least one or some embodiment(s), but not necessarily allembodiments, such that the references do not necessarily refer to thesame embodiment(s). Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments inlight of the above-detailed description. In general, in the followingclaims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims tothe specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims,but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tonearm tracking system for use in playing arecord comprising: a tonearm; a joint member movably connected to thetonearm and movably connected to a track having a nonlinear guiding slotfor guiding a guide member of the joint member, the joint member alsobeing connected by a hitch member to a slidable pivot base to which thetonearm is pivotably connected at a rear pivot location; and wherein theslidable pivot base is slidable in a rearward and forward direction inresponse to pressure applied to the hitch member by the joint member,the hitch member extending longitudinally rearward from the slidablepivot base.
 2. The tonearm tacking system of claim 1 wherein the jointmember includes a top horizontally extending joint member, and a bottomhorizontally extending joint member and a pin extends upward from afixed location relative to the top horizontally extending joint member.3. The tonearm tacking system of claim 2 wherein the fixed location ison a forward portion of the top horizontally extending joint member. 4.The tonearm tacking system of claim 3 wherein a rearward portion of thejoint member is pivotably connected to the hitch member.
 5. The tonearmtracking system of claim 1 wherein the joint member includes an upperstructural feature and a lower structural feature, the structuralfeatures being separated, and wherein a rearward portion of the hitchmember is pivotably connected to a rearward portion of at least one ofthe upper structural feature and lower structural feature.
 6. Thetonearm tracking system of claim 5 wherein the hitch member extendsbetween the upper structural feature and the lower structural feature.7. A method of guiding a tonearm to track in a linear manner comprising:applying pressure against a stylus of the tonearm; and moving a jointmember as a result of the pressure, the joint member being movablyconnected to a guiding slot having a nonlinear configuration and thejoint member being movably connected to a slidable pivot base to whichthe tonearm is pivotably connected; and moving a pin of the joint memberwithin the tonearm as a result of the pressure.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein the joint member is movably connected to the pivot base by beingconnected to a hitch member that is in turn, connected to the pivotbase.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising pivoting the jointmember relative to the hitch member as a result of the pressure appliedagainst the tonearm stylus.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the jointmember includes an upper joint member and lower joint member, andwherein the hitch member is connected to the joint member between theupper joint member and the lower joint member.
 11. The method of claim 8further comprising moving a guide member within the guiding slot as aresult of the pressure applied to the stylus, wherein the guiding slothas a laterally central portion that is disposed further forward than atleast a lateral side portion of the slot.
 12. The method of claim 11further comprising moving the guide member from the laterally centralportion of the slot to the lateral side portion of the slot.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising pushing the slidable pivot base inmechanical response to the movement of the guide member from thelaterally central portion of the slot to the lateral side portion of theslot.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising moving the guidemember from the lateral side portion of the slot to the laterallycentral portion of the slot.
 15. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising pulling the slidable pivot base in mechanical response to themovement of the guide member from the lateral side portion of the slotto the laterally central portion of the slot.
 16. A tonearm trackingsystem for use in playing a record comprising: a tonearm; a joint membermovably connected to the tonearm and movably connected to a track havinga nonlinear guiding slot for guiding a guide member of the joint member,the joint member also being connected by a hitch member to a slidablepivot base to which the tonearm is pivotably connected at a rear pivotlocation; wherein the joint member includes a top horizontally extendingjoint member, and a bottom horizontally extending joint member, andwherein the hitch member is pivotably connected to the joint memberbetween the top horizontally extending joint member and the bottomhorizontally extending joint member; and further comprising a pinchamber on the tonearm and a pin extending from the joint member andreceived within the pin chamber, the pin chamber extendinglongitudinally along the tonearm and the pin being moveablelongitudinally within the pin chamber by pivoting the tonearm relativeto the slidable pivot base.
 17. A tonearm tracking system for use inplaying a record comprising: a tonearm; a joint member movably connectedto the tonearm and movably connected to a track having a nonlinearguiding slot for guiding a guide member of the joint member, the jointmember also being connected by a hitch member to a slidable pivot baseto which the tonearm is pivotably connected at a rear pivot location;and wherein the guiding slot is curved and wherein the guide memberextends downward from a lower structural element of the joint memberinto the guiding slot, and wherein the joint member further comprises anupper structural feature spaced apart from the lower structural feature,and wherein a pin extends upward from the upper structural feature tothe tonearm.